At more than 600 pounds, Hector Garcia Jr. finds simple daily tasks like bathing a challenge. He struggled to walk across the hall from his bedroom to the bathroom so that his mother, Elena, could wash him after having cut his hair in November 2010. A month before, Hector started dieting after he realized he was close to his highest known weight, 636 pounds. less

At more than 600 pounds, Hector Garcia Jr. finds simple daily tasks like bathing a challenge. He struggled to walk across the hall from his bedroom to the bathroom so that his mother, Elena, could wash him ... more

Photo: Lisa Krantz, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

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Allan Oliva, 24, carries his brother Marco Oliva, 21, who had his legs amputated after trying to jump on a train heading north through Mexico earlier this year. They live with 11 other family members in a house in Barrio Colonia Divanna dominated by the gang "18", in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Friday, July 4, 2014. Oliva's father was killed by gang members in 1995, when he was 2 yrs old. less

Allan Oliva, 24, carries his brother Marco Oliva, 21, who had his legs amputated after trying to jump on a train heading north through Mexico earlier this year. They live with 11 other family members in a house ... more

Photo: Bob Owen, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

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Churchill's Caroline Bowers (right) moves in trying to stop a kick by Roosevelt's Lisette Trujillo but catches a shot to the nose as Roosevelt plays Churchill in a 26-5A girls soccer match at Northeast Soccer Stadium on March 14, 2014. less

Churchill's Caroline Bowers (right) moves in trying to stop a kick by Roosevelt's Lisette Trujillo but catches a shot to the nose as Roosevelt plays Churchill in a 26-5A girls soccer match at Northeast Soccer ... more

Photo: TOM REEL, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

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Juan Pablo Zapata grieves during the burial of his cousins, Erica Alvarado Rivera, 26, Alex Alvarado, 22, and Jose Angel Alvarado, 21, in El Control, Mexico on Sunday, November, 2, 2014. The siblings, U.S. Citizens from Progreso, were found shot to death more than two weeks after they went missing from a restaurant near El Control. At right are the siblings' oldest brother, Pete Alvarado, and their father, Pedro Alvarado. less

Sandy and Lupe, still wearing their wrist bands from detox, sit in their tent at their camp. Sandy's daughter Asten Jones reluctantly took them back to camp after completing detox. She wanted them to go straight to rehab after detox. less

Sandy and Lupe, still wearing their wrist bands from detox, sit in their tent at their camp. Sandy's daughter Asten Jones reluctantly took them back to camp after completing detox. She wanted them to go ... more

Photo: BOB OWEN, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

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Rafael Hernandez, director of Angeles del Desierto stands over the body of an undocumented immigrant, after placing a cross he made of broken twigs. Hernandez came across the body while searching on a ranch just outside Falfurrias, TX. Wednesday Jan. 29, 2014. less

Rafael Hernandez, director of Angeles del Desierto stands over the body of an undocumented immigrant, after placing a cross he made of broken twigs. Hernandez came across the body while searching on a ranch ... more

Photo: Bob Owen, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

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KC Massey, right, takes a drag on a cigarette as he sits with land owner Rusty Monsees Jr. Monsees asked the militia group called Camp Lone Star, to set up camp on his property along the Rio Grande River in Brownsville, TX. Wednesday, September 10, 2014 less

KC Massey, right, takes a drag on a cigarette as he sits with land owner Rusty Monsees Jr. Monsees asked the militia group called Camp Lone Star, to set up camp on his property along the Rio Grande River in ... more

Photo: BOB OWEN, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

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Erica Sandoval adjusts the hair of her daughter, Victoria Sandoval, 15, center, as Lisa Rivera, left, works on Giselle Maldonado's hair as they get ready for Victoria's Quinceanera at her home on the East Side of San Antonio on Saturday, July 12, 2014. Once a historically African American community, the East Side has been changing for the last 30 years. Today, more than 65 percent of the population is Hispanic. less

Erica Sandoval adjusts the hair of her daughter, Victoria Sandoval, 15, center, as Lisa Rivera, left, works on Giselle Maldonado's hair as they get ready for Victoria's Quinceanera at her home on the East Side ... more

Photo: Lisa Krantz, Staff / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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"I love you mijo," Hector Garcia Sr. repeats to his son as he and his wife, Elena Garcia, say goodbye to him for the last time at the conclusion of the viewing at Trevino Funeral Home Palo Alto.

"I love you mijo," Hector Garcia Sr. repeats to his son as he and his wife, Elena Garcia, say goodbye to him for the last time at the conclusion of the viewing at Trevino Funeral Home Palo Alto.

Photo: Lisa Krantz / San Antonio Express-News

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In this file photo, U.S. Border Patrol agents question a group of adult and minor immigrants near Anzalduas Park, southwest of McAllen. House Republicans are planning another enforcement-only immigration bill.

In this file photo, U.S. Border Patrol agents question a group of adult and minor immigrants near Anzalduas Park, southwest of McAllen. House Republicans are planning another enforcement-only immigration bill.

Photo: Jerry Lara /

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Immigrants ride the train known as "la bestia" as it leaves Arriaga, MX at 1:30AM. Friday, Aug. 1, 2014.

Immigrants ride the train known as "la bestia" as it leaves Arriaga, MX at 1:30AM. Friday, Aug. 1, 2014.

Photo: Bob Owen, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

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Jose Luis Ramos Castillo, 16, talks with his grandmother Maria de Jesus Rodriguez, 83, through the kitchen window, as she prepares a pot of frijoles for their family. Castillo had planned to leave for the U.S. the day before with a friend, but the friend backed out because he didn't have the money he wanted to take. The two teens from La Libertad, Honduras are planning another departure date. Tuesday, July 8, 2014. Castillo hadn't told his grandmother that he plans to leave. less

Jose Luis Ramos Castillo, 16, talks with his grandmother Maria de Jesus Rodriguez, 83, through the kitchen window, as she prepares a pot of frijoles for their family. Castillo had planned to leave for the U.S. ... more

Photo: Bob Owen, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

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Family members and friends carry the casket and walk in a funeral procession of a 24 year old man shot four times by gang members for not completing a task he was asked to do, in the small colonial town of Valle de Angeles, Honduras, just outside Tegucigalpa. Saturday, July 5, 2014. less

Family members and friends carry the casket and walk in a funeral procession of a 24 year old man shot four times by gang members for not completing a task he was asked to do, in the small colonial town of ... more

Photo: Bob Owen, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

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Gloria Nunez, 49, changes the diapers for her injured son Allan Cruz, 22, who was hit by a vehicle in Celaya, MX, while in route to Houston, TX to look for work back in 2011. The family of 6 live in a one room apartment in Barrio El Pedregalito in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Nunez's kitchen consists of a portable gas burning-one-pot stove, at left. Monday, June 30, 2014. less

Gloria Nunez, 49, changes the diapers for her injured son Allan Cruz, 22, who was hit by a vehicle in Celaya, MX, while in route to Houston, TX to look for work back in 2011. The family of 6 live in a one room ... more

Photographer Lisa Krantz led the way, garnering first place awards in the categories of photojournalism, general news photography and in best photo gallery. She also placed second in videos over 2 minutes.

Krantz was also honored earlier this week by the American Society of News Editors with its Community Service Photojournalism Award for documenting Hector Garcia Jr.’s years-long struggle with his weight in a series titled “A Life Apart : The Toll of Obesity.”

Other Express-News staffers capturing top honors in APME results announced at a luncheon Saturday were sports reporter Jeff McDonald, designer Adrian Alvarez and photographer Bob Owen. Former staffer Bruno Garcia won Star Designer of the Year for work he did in 2014 for the Express-News. Owen also placed second in general news photography and second for Star Photographer of the Year.

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“The Express-News had a fantastic year of compelling, authoritative journalism, from our arresting photography of one man’s battle with obesity to in-depth coverage of the immigrant surge last summer and the Spurs’ fifth championship,” said Jamie Stockwell, Express-News managing editor, who was at the convention in Waco.

“We work hard every day to tell the stories that matter to San Antonians, and to package them as immersive experiences, both online and in print,” she said. “We appreciate the recognition from our peers.”

Each year, the Express-News competes against other newspapers across the state with Sunday circulations of 125,000 or more, a list that includes the Dallas Morning News, Houston Chronicle and the Austin-American Statesman.

“We had hundreds of entries from papers across the state and there was tough competition in many categories,” said Diana R. Fuentes, president of Texas APME and an Express-News editor.

“It’s heartening to see so much good work by so many papers of all sizes,” she said. “It’s proof positive that high quality journalism continues to thrive in Texas in print and online.”

Complementing McDonald’s first-place finish in breaking sports news for his coverage of the Spur’s fifth title victory, the APME gave the paper 2nd place for team page design for the front page layout for that edition.

Reporter Melissa Fletcher Stoeltje picked up second place in the Star Reporter of the Year category and second place for a feature series.

Photographer Tom Reel won third place in the sports photo category. Earning honorable mentions were Express-News staffers Joaquin Herrera for feature page design, Emilio Rabago for news page design, Peggy Fikac for a general column, Jerry Lara for photojournalism, Owen for feature photos and photojournalism, Krantz in photojournalism and general news photography, and Kin Man Hui for photojournalism, a video over 2 minutes, and a video under 2 minutes.